Vendée Globe 2024: Richomme Takes the Lead Ahead of Dalin
The Vendée Globe race has seen a significant shift in leadership as Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa) has reclaimed the top position, overtaking Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance) by a margin of 15 nautical miles. Richomme's impressive performance over the past 24 hours allowed him to gain nearly 50 nautical miles on Dalin, who had previously held the lead for 15 consecutive days. The two skippers, along with Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil), are currently navigating close to the Antarctic exclusion zone (ZEA) and are among the few to have passed Point Nemo, the most isolated point on Earth.
Approaching Cape Horn
As they continue their journey towards Cape Horn, expected to be rounded by Christmas, Richomme expressed optimism about their speed, noting that they are ahead of Armel Le Cléac'h's record from 2017. However, he cautioned about a potential slowdown due to an anticyclone forming in the Atlantic, which could affect their route. The competition remains fierce, with Dalin and Simon closely trailing Richomme, and a group of eight skippers behind them, creating a significant gap from the rest of the fleet.
Current Rankings and Challenges
The latest rankings as of December 21, 2024, show Richomme leading with 8,222.57 nautical miles to the finish, followed by Dalin at 15.93 nautical miles behind. Sébastien Simon is in third place, while Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable) and Jérémie Beyou (Charal) round out the top five. Notably, Antoine Cornic (Human Immobilier) has faced challenges, receiving a three-hour penalty for engine use during repairs. The race continues to be a test of endurance and strategy as the skippers navigate the treacherous waters of the Southern Ocean.
